Soybean rust forecasts ending at NCSU

Soybean rust forecasts - along with disease forecasts for tobacco and cucurbits - will no longer be available from North Carolina State University's North American Plant Disease Forecast Center. The center announced on its web site Tuesday that the 2006 season will be its last, and the final forecasts will be made on October 20.

No specific reason was given for why the program was being discontinued. The following is the center's announcement:

At this time, it is our regrettable duty to inform you that the 2006 growing season will be the last for operations at the North American Plant Disease Forecast Center. Forecasts for 2006 will end October 20, 2006.

Over the past eleven years we have been pleased to provide our users with thousands of forecasts for the spread of tobacco blue mold, cucurbit downy mildew, and soybean rust. We hope these Web-based forecasts have provided growers, industry, media, and others with useful and timely information in their attempt to manage these important plant disease epidemics. The eyes and ears of many have made our effectiveness possible. We want to thank all of the people and agencies involved for their support and cooperation in this endeavor.

The Plant Pathology Department is studying new and better ways to provide you information. Forecasting is a rapidly developing area of disease management and we are sure you will hear more about it in the future. We at the Forecast Center have enjoyed and valued the role we have played in this area of science and communication. Our best wishes to those who will continue to make efforts in the disease management arena.

Dr. Charles Main, Professor Emeritus
Thomas Keever, Lead Forecaster / Meteorologist